Freestanding Deep Fat Fryer

ABSTRACT

A freestanding deep fat fryer ( 100 ) having a vat adapted for containing cooking fat or oil, the vat having side ( 130,131 ), rear ( 133 ) and front walls and a base, in use the front wall of the vat being located nearest a user. At least one electrical heating element within the vat, the heating element heating ( 150 ) the cooking fat or oil. The heating element is secured to the front wall of the vat near the base of the vat. The heating element being provided with electricity through the front wall of the vat. The freestanding deep fat fryer further having a ventilation hood ( 110 ) above the vat and a fire extinguisher. The fire extinguisher having at least one fire detection sensor ( 301 ) and at least one nozzle ( 302,303 ) for spraying fire extinguishing foam. The sensor and the nozzle being located in the ventilation hood above the vat. The fire detection sensor being connected to a controller and the nozzles being fluidly connected to a pressurized container containing fire extinguishing foam. The controller when the sensors detects the outbreak of a fire releasing the foam from the container, the foam being sprayed by the nozzles over the vat.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a deep fat fryer, particularly tofreestanding deep fat fryers for use in commercial kitchens.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Current deep fat fryers invariably have their heating elements mountedso that it is difficult to replace them as they wear out or are damaged.Further individual elements may not be replaced and sets of elements arereplaced together, when only one element needs replaced. Additionallycooking baskets easily damage the electrical elements. This damagehappens as the cooking baskets are placed on top of the elements in thevat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of at least one embodiment of the invention is to provide animproved deep fat fryer that overcomes the disadvantages of the priorart or at least provides the public or industry with a useful choice.

Another object is to provide a standalone deep fat fryer incorporating afire extinguisher.

Accordingly in a first aspect the invention may be said to consist in afreestanding deep fat fryer having:

-   -   an open vat adapted for containing cooking fat or oil, said vat        having a base, side, rear and front walls, in use said front        wall of said vat being located nearest a user;    -   at least one electrical heating element within said vat, said        electrical heating element heating said cooking fat or oil; said        heating element being secured to and passing through the front        wall of said vat, near the base of said vat, said electrical        heating element being provided by power from the front of said        front wall of said vat;    -   a ventilation hood above said vat; and    -   a fire extinguisher, said fire extinguisher having at least one        fire detection sensor and at least one nozzle for spraying fire        extinguishing foam, said at least one sensor and said at least        one nozzle being located in said ventilation hood above said        vat, said at least one fire detection sensor being connected to        a controller, said nozzle(s) being fluidly connected to a        pressurized container containing fire extinguishing foam, said        controller when said sensors detects the outbreak of a fire        releasing said foam from said container, said foam being sprayed        by said nozzles over said vat.

Preferably in the event of a fire being detected by said sensors, powerto said at least one electrical heating element is shut off by saidcontroller.

Preferably said controller consists of a controller for said fireextinguisher and a system controller, said fire extinguisher controllerand said system controller working together.

Preferably said at least one electrical heating element is a pluralityof heating elements.

Preferably said plurality of heating elements is three.

Preferably the failure of one element results in the controller shuttingoff power to all the elements.

Preferably said deep fat fryer having at least one thermostat withinsaid vat, wherein the failure of a thermostat results in said controllerissuing a warning and shutting off power to said at least one element.

Preferably said ventilation hood further includes an air filter and atleast one extractor fan, for extracting cooking odors from said vat.

Preferably said freestanding deep fat fryer includes a partially opencabinet, said vat being located within said cabinet, the top of said vatbeing at a working height for a user, wherein the back and side wallsabove said vat are double skinned.

Preferably said back wall of said cabinet includes a frying baskethanger.

Preferably said freestanding deep fat fryer further including a manualswitch to activate said fire extinguisher.

Preferably said freestanding deep fat fryer further includes a firewarning light activated by said fire extinguisher controller.

Preferably said freestanding deep fat fryer further including a sirenactivated by said fire extinguisher controller.

Preferably said vat includes a lip inside the vat on at least two walls,said lip being located at a level above said at least one element andbeing parallel to the top of said vat, said freestanding deep fat fryerfurther including a screen that in use sits on said lip, said screenbeing shaped to fit securely within said vat, said screen protectingsaid at least one element from damage by frying baskets

Preferably said vat includes a drain said drain having a valve tocontrol the flow of cooking oil or fat from said vat.

In a second aspect the invention may be said to consist in a vat for adeep fat fryer, said vat adapted for containing cooking fat or oil, saidvat having a base, side, rear and front walls, in use said front wall ofsaid vat being located nearest a user, at least one electrical heatingelement within said vat, said electrical heating element heating saidcooking fat or oil; said heating element being secured and passingthrough the front wall of said vat, near the base of said vat

Preferably said at least one electrical heating element is a pluralityof heating elements.

Preferably said plurality of heating elements is three.

Preferably said plurality of heating elements are controlled by acontroller and the failure of one element results in the controllershutting of power to all the elements.

Preferably said vat having at least one thermostat within said vat,wherein the failure of a thermostat results in said controller issuing awarning and shutting off power to said at least one element.

Preferably said vat includes a lip inside the vat on at least two walls,said lip being located at a level above said at least one element andbeing parallel to the top of said vat, said vat further including ascreen that in use sits on said lip, said screen being shaped to fitsecurely within said vat, said screen protecting said at least oneelement from damage by frying baskets.

Preferably said vat includes a drain said drain having a valve tocontrol the flow of cooking oil or fat from said vat.

The invention may further be said to consist in any alternativecombination of parts or features mentioned herein or shown in theaccompanying drawings. Known equivalents of these parts or features,which are not expressly set out, are nevertheless deemed to be included.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Disclosed embodiments and methods of utilizing the invention will befurther described, with reference to the accompanying figures, by way ofexample only and without intending to be limiting, wherein;

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the fat fryer according to an illustratedembodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 shows a partial cut away right side view of the fat fryer showingthe fire extinguisher zones according to an illustrated embodiment ofthe present invention,

FIG. 3 shows a partial cut away left side view of the fat fryeraccording to an illustrated embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 4 shows a further partial cut away right side view of the fat fryeraccording to an illustrated embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 5 shows a front view of a vat of an illustrated embodiment of thepresent invention, and

FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a vat of an illustrated embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the figures an illustrative embodiment is shown. Thefreestanding deep fat fryer 100 includes a cabinet 101 having lockablewheels 102, to allow the cabinet to be moved and yet locked in place foruse. Referring to FIG. 1 the cabinet has a cooking area 104, on one sideof the cooking area is a sunken vat 105 and on the other side is a worksurface 106. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the vat 105 contains heatingelements 150, the heating elements 150 are used for heating oil or fat152 for cooking.

Above the work surface is an integral hood 110, which contains filters201, an extractor fan 202, and a fire extinguisher. The hood, 110 issupported by side 130, 131 and rear wall/panels 133. The side 130, 131and rear 133 panels are made of double skins to reduce the heat on theexterior of the fryer 100.

Referring to FIG. 2 the fire extinguisher includes detectors 301 andnozzles 302, 303. The nozzles 302, 303 are connected by a pipe 304 to acontainer 305, which contains the fire dousing foam. The fire detectors301 are connected to the fire extinguisher controller 306 by anelectrical cable 310. The electrical cable 310 is enclosed within a pipe307 to protect the cable 310 from heat, both in normal use and in theevent of a fire.

In addition to being set off automatically a pull cord or switch 140 maybe used to set the fire extinguisher off. Both the pipe for the foam 304and the pipe containing the electrical cables 307 are enclosed betweenthe double skin of the rear wall 133 of the deep fat fryer 100. Thedouble skin 405 rear wall 133 can clearly be seen in FIG. 4.

The fire extinguisher controller 306 is integrated with the system powercontrollers 320 and in the event of a fire, electrical power is cut tothe heating elements 150. In the event of a fire a siren 180 and light181 alert users to the occurrence of fire.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 the vat 106 has on two sides a shelf 154into which a filer or tray 155 may be placed. The filter or tray 155 isshaped to fit securely inside the vat 106 and is parallel to the top ofthe cooking fat level 156. The tray or filter 155 protects the elements150 from damage by cooking baskets 190 which can be seen in FIG. 4.

At the bottom of the vat 106 a drain 157 is provided for draining thevat 106. A valve 158 controls the flow of fat or oil from the vat 106.The user controls the valve using handle 159

The heating elements 150 are secured to the front wall 155 of the vat,with electrical connections made outside the vat to electricalconnectors 160. Because the elements are mounted through the front wallit is easier to replace damaged or broken elements 150 without having tomove the fryer 100 to allow access

The heating elements 150 are controlled by the system controller 320 andin the event of an element 150 failing the controller 320 shuts offpower to all the elements 150 and a warning light on the control panel330 is lit.

Thermostats 170 provide the temperature of the oil or fat to thecontroller 320, and the controller 320 in response to instructions fromthe user control panel 330 alters the power levels provided to theelements 150. In the event of a thermostat failing, the controller 320shuts off power to the elements 150 and a warning light on the controlpanel 330 is lit.

The foregoing describes the invention with reference to the disclosedembodiment. Alterations and modifications as will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art are intended to be incorporated within the scope ofthe invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

1. A freestanding deep fat fryer comprising: an open vat adapted forcontaining cooking fat or oil, said vat having a base, side, rear andfront walls, in use said front wall of said vat being located nearest auser; at least one electrical heating element within said vat, saidelectrical heating element heating said cooking fat or oil; said heatingelement being secured to and passing through the front wall of said vat,near the base of said vat, said electrical heating element beingprovided by power from the front of said front wall of said vat; aventilation hood above said vat; and a fire extinguisher, said fireextinguisher having at least one fire detection sensor and at least onenozzle for spraying fire extinguishing foam, said at least one sensorand said at least one nozzle being located in said ventilation hoodabove said vat, said at least one fire detection sensor being connectedto a controller, said at least one nozzle being fluidly connected to apressurized container containing fire extinguishing foam, saidcontroller when said sensors detects the outbreak of a fire releasingsaid foam from said container, said foam being sprayed by said nozzlesover said vat.
 2. A freestanding deep fat fryer as claimed in claim 1wherein in the event of a fire being detected by said sensors, power tosaid at least one electrical heating element is shut off by saidcontroller.
 3. A freestanding deep fat fryer as claimed in claim 2wherein said controller consists of a controller for said fireextinguisher and a system controller, said fire extinguisher controllerand said system controller working together.
 4. A freestanding deep fatfryer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one electrical heatingelement is a plurality of heating elements.
 5. A freestanding deep fatfryer as claimed in claim 4 wherein said plurality of heating elementsis three.
 6. A freestanding deep fat fryer as claimed in claim 4 whereinthe failure of one element results in the controller shutting off powerto all the elements.
 7. A freestanding deep fat fryer as claimed inclaim 1 further having at least one thermostat within said vat, whereinthe failure of a thermostat results in said controller issuing a warningand shutting off power to said at least one element.
 8. A freestandingdeep fat fryer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ventilation hoodfurther includes an air filter and at least one extractor fan, forextracting cooking odors from said vat.
 9. A freestanding deep fat fryeras claimed in claim 1 wherein said freestanding deep fat fryer includesa partially open cabinet, said vat being located within said cabinet,the top of said vat being at a working height for a user, wherein theback and side walls above said vat are double skinned.
 10. Afreestanding deep fat fryer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said back wallof said cabinet includes a frying basket hanger.
 11. A freestanding deepfat fryer as claimed in claim 1 further including a manual switch toactivate said fire extinguisher.
 12. A freestanding deep fat fryer asclaimed in claim 1 further includes a fire warning light activated bysaid fire extinguisher controller.
 13. A freestanding deep fat fryer asclaimed in claim 1 further includes a siren activated by said fireextinguisher controller.
 14. A freestanding deep fat fryer as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said vat includes a lip inside the vat on at least twowalls, said lips being located at a level above said at least oneelement and being parallel to the top of said vat, said freestandingdeep fat fryer further including a screen that in use sits on said lip,said screen being shaped to fit securely within said vat, said screenprotecting said at least one element from damage by frying baskets. 15.A vat for a deep fat fryer, said vat adapted for containing cooking fator oil, said vat comprising a base, side, rear and front walls, in usesaid front wall of said vat being located nearest a user, at least oneelectrical heating element within said vat, said electrical heatingelement heating said cooking fat or oil; said heating element beingsecured and passing through the front wall of said vat, near the base ofsaid vat.
 16. A vat for a deep fat fryer as claimed in claim 15 whereinsaid at least one electrical heating element is a plurality of heatingelements.
 17. A vat for a deep fat fryer as claimed in claim 16 whereinsaid plurality of heating elements is three.
 18. A vat for a deep fatfryer as claimed in claim 16 wherein said plurality of heating elementsare controlled by a controller and the failure of one element results inthe controller shutting of power to all the elements.
 19. A vat for adeep fat fryer as claimed in claim 18 further having at least onethermostat within said vat, wherein the failure of a thermostat resultsin said controller issuing a warning and shutting off power to said atleast one element.
 20. A vat for a deep fat fryer as claimed in claim 15wherein said vat includes a lip inside the vat on at least two walls,said lips being located at a level above said at least one element andbeing parallel to the top of said vat, said vat further including ascreen that in use sits on said lip, said screen being shaped to fitsecurely within said vat, said screen protecting said at least oneelement from damage by frying baskets.
 21. A vat for a deep fat fryer asclaimed in claim 15 wherein said vat includes a drains said drain havinga valve to control the flow of one of cooking oil and fat from said vat.